Returning to teach

You may have left teaching to take a break from work, have a family or experience another career. Many teachers do, and thousands return every year. If you are thinking of returning, there is plenty of help to guide you on your way and ease your route back into teaching. The TDA website www.tda.gov.uk has comprehensive links to all relevant websites, and the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (national curriculum) www.qcda.org.uk and Teachernet www.teachernet.gov.uk are also particularly useful for the latest information on returning. Documentation is available from the publications unit of the DCSF, www.dcsf.gov.uk and you can also find telephone support on the Returning to Teach line on 0845 6000 993. We also advise you to:

• register with the Returning to Teach (formerly Keeping in Touch) programme via www.tda.gov.uk , to keep up with developments in the profession and receive information about jobs and training opportunities
• complete a returners' course, to help you refresh your skills and catch up with changes in education. Training bursaries and help with childcare may be available for those on TDA-funded returner courses. There is also the possibility of a Career Development Loan. For information on this DCSF-sponsored programme, visit www.lifelonglearning.co.uk/cdl or freephone 0800 585 505.  For more on support with childcare, visit the ChildCareFinder facility on direct.gov .
  

There are some local teaching courses available.   Returners to Teaching should contact the School of Education at Roehampton University or visit  www.roehampton.ac.uk/education/index.html .